Compact disc package

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a folding CD package with a section (12) holding the CD, a cover section (10) hinged thereon and a pouch section (14) into which the section holding the CD can be inserted. According to the invention, the cover section (10) is attached to the pouch section (14) via an edge acting as a pivot (22) and the pivot (22) is released in relation to a hinged connection (20) between the cover section (10) and the section (12) holding the CD so that the section holding the CD is partly pulled out from the pouch section (14) when the package is opened by the resultant relative movement of the pivot and hinge for ease of removal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a foldable compact disc (CD) package with asection holding the CD and a cover section hinged thereon.

CD packages are mostly sold in complex plastic covers. Packing materialslike paperboard and paper, which are preferable for recycling purposes,are currently not used because they require special treatment. It isfurthermore desirable to provide a package for the similar computerreadable CD-ROMs; such package, when integrated into files, Leitzfolders or books and magazines, must allow simple, user-friendlypresentation of the CDs.

Here the use of a comparatively voluminous plastic container is notpreferable.

DE 43 20 191 A1 discloses a paperboard CD package substantially formedlike common plastic packages. The use of a flap joint complicates theremoval of a CD.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,036 already discloses an insert section for apouch-like CD package. Here a cover section can be folded around a CDpreviously inserted into the insert section. Together with the CD, thisis then inserted into the pouch-like package. This packing method is,however, complicated and requires at least two removal steps, i.e.firstly removal from the pouch-like package and secondly, afterunfolding the cover section, taking out of the insert section. A usermay find this method comparatively awkward. It is also more expensive toproduce two separate sections.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a CDpackage made from mostly environment-friendly material with as littleplastic share and weight as possible, which enables a user to easilyremove the CD.

This object is accomplished by the features of the valid main claim, andespecially by interspacing two pivot axes joining a pouch-like sectionand a cover section as well as a holding section.

The subclaims relate to advantageous embodiments of the presentinvention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The CD is preferably positioned in a pouch provided with two interspacedpivots of a pouch-like section and a CD holding section of the CDpackage with a cover section, in order to assist an easier removal.There is no need for the snap fastener commonly known from plasticpackages; this substantially reduces production costs and simplifiesremoval of the CD. A paperboard package is also less susceptible tofracture and static charges. Lightweight paperboard packages will alsoreduce shipment costs.

For storing the CD on its holding section an edge may be provided at theend of the section that is to be inserted into the pouch; the foldededge thereof will then carry the CD along when this section is removedfrom the pouch. As the CD may bump onto the free edge when it isinserted into the pouch on this section the edge is preferably providedwith a semicircular groove, which, however skips a minimal width of theedge to produce a "pull along effect".

The pouch-like section may further be provided with an opening forgrasping the central CD opening. It is further possible to arrange afleece fabric on the CD holding section and on the upper inside of thepouch-like section, so that dust particles, which may otherwise cling tothe CD while inserting or removing it, may be wiped off.

The section holding the CD may additionally have collar holders adheredthereto, the shape of which corresponds to the shape of the CD in orderto laterally hold the CD (not shown in FIGS.).

It is a special advantage of the invention that by using a.m.configuration of the sections the mechanically and manually operatedcover is made up from a double paperboard layer, which makes it as solidas the pouch-like section that is inserted into the insertion sectionholding the CD. The folding edge between the pouch-like section and thecover section is furthermore protected from overexertion and too muchbending by a maximum opening angle of 180°.

Punched-out grasping openings or punches resp. indentationscorresponding to the CD shape may assist the CD-abutting sections intheir holding or presenting function.

The following description relates to a preferable embodiment of theinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a CD package opened at about 90°; the CD is partly pushedout of the pouch-like section;

FIG. 2 shows the cut of the CD package prior to folding;

FIG. 3 shows the folding of the CD package with already applied CD;

FIG. 4 shows the CD package opened at about 180°;

FIG. 5 shows the dosed CD package; and

FIG. 6 shows a punching cut for a CD package.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a CD package consisting of a cover section 10, a CDholding section 12 on which CD 18 is shown and a pouch-like section 14.The Figs. show how the paperboard section 26, which is shorter thansection 24, i.e. the inside of cover 10 opposite to the outside, thehinged edge between the CD holding section 12 and the inside of thecover and at least one pivot edge 22 between the outside 32 ofpouch-like section 14 and the outside 24 of the cover a relativemovement of the insertion section 12 holding the CD to the pouch-likesection occurs when cover 10 is hinged open in relation to thepouch-like section 14. This relative movement causes the CD to be pushedout, so that it may be removed more easily and also presented in abetter way.

For holding the CD on the insertion section 12 an edge 16 joining thefree end of the insertion section 12 is folded in such a manner that itholds the CD and draws it out of the pouch-like section when cover 10 isunfolded.

To prevent CD 18 from bumping on straight edge 36 (of FIG. 3) before itreaches its final position, edge 36 may be provided with a partlycircular groove corresponding to the dimensions of the CD, so that atthe same time a certain stability of the CD is achieved. It is alsopossible to provide additional paperboard sections adhered to section 12on at least its two outer edges that are not covered by the CD, andthereby hold the CD.

Wide unfolding of the package makes it possible to tilt the two sectionson the cover side (if provided) off the CD so that they do not prevent astraight removal of the CD along the direction of the pouch. Punchedindentations in CD holding section 12 may also be opened and closed byslight bending. This holds especially true for punches along thedestined position of the outer diameter of the CD.

FIG. 2 clearly shows that the pouch-like section is formed by foldingtwo narrow collar sections 30 onto the inside 28 of the pouch-likesection and folding to side 32. FIG. 3 shows the already formedpouch-like section 14, whereas in contrast to FIG. 1 there is no removalopening provided resp. shown. As soon as the inner sides 24, 26 of thecover are glued together the CD package is protected againstdisassembling. If gluing is not necessary or desired the package mayalso be used without glue. It is rather possible to deposit song text orthe like on the package as there is significantly more room than usualon the package itself.

FIG. 4 shows the opened package opened by 180°. In comparison to FIG. 1FIG. 4 there is shown how the CD is further removable from thepouch-like section.

FIG. 5 shows the dosed CD package, which, when proportioned inaccordance with DIN regulations, may be offered for sale like thecommonly known plastic

For easy closing the package may further be provided with a Velcrofastener.

Additionally the package may also be pushed into a slip cover, but itmay also be provided with a simple band or a seal to guarantee apurchaser the originality of the CD package.

FIG. 6 shows a punching cut of an improved embodiment of the CD package,which is provided with two lateral grip openings 39, 40 for easierremoval of the CD from the package.

I claim:
 1. A foldable compact disc packages, comprising a section (12)holding the compact disc, a cover section (10) hinged thereon and apouch section (14) into which the section holding the compact disc canbe inserted, characterised in that the cover section (10) is connectedto the pouch section (14) via an edge acting as a pivot axis (22) andthat said pivot axis (22) is spaced apart from a hinged connection (20)between the cover section (10) and the section (12) holding the CD sothat the section holding the compact disc is partly pulled out from thepouch section (14) when the package is opened by the resultant relativemovement of the pivot pivot axis and hinged connection for ease ofremoval for presenting.
 2. A compact disc package according to claim 1,characterised in that it is provided with a folded edge portion (16)holding the compact disc on the section (12) holding the compact discwhile the compact disc is removed.
 3. A compact disc package accordingto claim 2, characterised in that it is provided with a partly circulargroove on a free edge of a narrow edge portion (16).
 4. A compact discpackage according to claim 3 characterised in that at least parts of atleast some of the sections are covered by fleece material, for contactwith the compact disc.
 5. A compact disc package according to claim 3characterised in that it is provided with punches corresponding to thecompact disc dimensions, corresponding to part of the entire peripheryof the compact disc in the section (12) holding the compact disc forlateral storage of the compact disc to prevent slipping on the section(12) holding the compact disc.
 6. A compact disc package according toclaim 3 characterised in that the section (12) holding the compact discis provided with lateral grip openings (39, 40) in order to facilitateremoval of the compact disc from the package.
 7. A compact disc packageaccording to claim 2 characterised in that it is provided with agrasping opening (38) on the inside of pouch section (14).
 8. A compactdisc package according to claim 2 characterised in that at least partsof at least some of the sections are covered by fleece material, forcontact with the compact disc.
 9. A compact disc package according toclaim 2 characterised in that it is provided with punches correspondingto the compact disc dimensions, corresponding to part of the entireperiphery of the compact disc in the section (12) holding the compactdisc for lateral storage of the compact disc to prevent slipping on thesection (12) holding the compact disc.
 10. A compact disc packageaccording to claim 2 characterised in that the section (12) holding thecompact disc is provided with lateral grip openings (39, 40) in order tofacilitate removal of the compact disc from the package.
 11. A compactdisc package according to claim 1 characterised in that it is providedwith a grasping opening (38) on the inside of pouch section (14).
 12. Acompact disc package according to claim 11 characterised in that atleast parts of at least some of the sections are covered by fleecematerial, for contact with the compact disc.
 13. A compact disc packageaccording to claim 11 characterised in that it is provided with punchescorresponding to the compact disc dimensions, corresponding to part ofthe entire periphery of the compact disc in the section (12) holding thecompact disc for lateral storage of the compact disc to prevent slippingon the section (12) holding the compact disc.
 14. A compact disc packageaccording to claim 11 characterised in that the section (12) holding thecompact disc is provided with lateral grip openings (39, 40) in order tofacilitate removal of the compact disc from the package.
 15. A compactdisc package according to claim 1 characterised in that at least partsof at least some of the sections are covered by fleece material, forcontact with the compact disc.
 16. A compact disc package according toclaim 15 characterised in that it is provided with punches correspondingto the compact disc dimensions, corresponding to part of the entireperiphery of the compact disc in the section (12) holding the compactdisc for lateral storage of the compact disc to prevent slipping on thesection (12) holding the compact disc.
 17. A compact disc packageaccording to claim 15 characterised in that the section (12) holding thecompact disc is provided with lateral grip openings (39, 40) in order tofacilitate removal of the compact disc from the package.
 18. A compactdisc package according to claim 1 characterised in that it is providedwith punches corresponding to the compact disc dimensions, correspondingto part of the entire periphery of the compact disc in the compact discholding section (12) for lateral storage of the compact disc to preventslipping on the section (12) holding the compact disc.
 19. A compactdisc package according to claim 18 characterised in that the section(12) holding the compact disc is provided with lateral grip openings(39, 40) in order to facilitate removal of the compact disc from thepackage.
 20. A compact disc package according to claim 1 characterisedin that the compact disc holding section (12) is provided with lateralgrip openings (39, 40) in order to facilitate removal of the compactdisc from the package.